About District

kottayam is a district in kerala, the southernmost state in india. located in central kerala, the district is a uniquely characteristic landscape with its magnificent mountains in the east, the vembanad lake in the west and the paddy fields of kuttanad. with its spread of lake beds, lush paddy fields, highlands, pastures, hills and spread-out rubber tree plantations, it is associated with many legends. kottayam is also referred to as land of letters, lakes, and latex in english. kottayam is the main marketing centre for cash crops, especially rubber. most of india's natural rubber is produced from acres of well maintained plantations in kottayam district.

Most of India’s natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board. Kottayam is also called as “Akshara Nagari” which means the “city of letters” considering its contribution to print media and literature. Kottayam Town is the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy (a remarkable feat achieved as early as in 1989). English education in South India did actually start at the Old Seminary here at Kottayam in 1813. The first printing press in Kerala was established (CMS Press) here in 1821 by Rev.Benjamin Baily. The first college in the State (CMS College) was also started here at Kottayam in 1840. Maiden printed Malayalam-English and English-Malayalam Dictionaries were published from Kottayam in 1846 and 1847 respectivel